Flexible radius rod



Oct. 28, 1930. ;-1 w5 1,779,632

FLEXIBLE RADIUS ROD Filed Aug. 21. 1929 :s Sheets-Sheet 1 Momrm:

llflalldwms A I EJ K CMLQ W Oct. 28, 1930. P. E. MATTHEWS 1,779,632

FLEXIBLE RADIUS ROD Filed Aug- 21. 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Moe/um: 1 111297 EMMMGMS;

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FLEXIBLE RADIUS adv Filed Aug. 21, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet :s

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Patented Oct. 28, 1930 Y Y YYUNITED T T S- PATENT-OFFICE PHILIP n vrA'rTnEws, or" PLAin rnLn, new JERSEY, ASSIG-NOR T0 INT RNATIONA noToncoMPANY, on new YORK,'1\T. ,Y.,V AVGORPORATION on DELAWARE eminent: RADIUS Ron L Application filed August 21, 19e9; ere; 387,309. Y 1

The present invention relates to spring suspensionsfor motor vehicles and embodies, more specifically,an improved form" of sus pension in which the load due to gravitationa1 forces is carried by one set of springs and the driving torque is "cushioned by an inde pendent set of springs.

: There has recently been developed a spring suspension in which the driving torque has been 'carriedby an independent set of springs as set forth above, thus enabling the springs which carrythegravitational forces to'be madelighter' and moreeffective in cushion ing the shocks transmitted between the aides and frames. This construction has been found to be highly serviceable and'a preferred form thereof has been incorporated in a construction in which the driving torque has been cushioned through a suitable mechanism mounted betweenthe frame and thefupper endsof-the radius rods."

In certain types ofQvehicles,the space be.-

tween the frame and radius rod,within; which such mechanism can be incorporated,,1s'vcry limited and it becomes quite diflicult to,1n-

elude 'a'cushioning mechanism in this locali tv, of sufficient size and strength -toanswer the requirements" of use. 1 The present invention embodies amechanism which is placedbetween the lower end of the radius'rod and-the axle, the lower end ofthe rodfloating with respect to the axle and connected thereto in such manner thatrela tive movement therebetwe'en is eifectively cushionedi By placing a yielding mechanism at this point, it is "frequently" possible, in many types of vehicles, to house it within the standard parts constituting the elements of this portion of the vehicle. "For example, the cushion mechanism may be included within the brake mechanism or fmay cooperate therewith. to provide a more compact and rigid construction. V A H V An object of the invention, accordingly, is to provide a spring suspension in which gravitational forces. are carried by one set of springs, and driving forces arefcushioned by a separate and independent set of springs. V A further object of the invention'is to providea spring suspension of the above characline 10 10 of Figure 9,

ter in which the mechanism for cushioning the driving forces is mounted between the lower end of the radius rod and the axle.

A furth'er object of the invention is to'pi'o 3 Vide a mechanism of the above character'in which the cushioning means for the driving forces is included in the brake mechanism, or mounted in such'mannerthat' it cooperates therewith. V

Further objects, not specifically enumere ated above, will be apparent'as the invention is described in greater detail in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figurel is a viewin side elevation, showing one formof'springfsuspension in which the present invention has been incorporated; Figure 2 is a view in section, taken on the line 2.2 of F igure 1 and looking in the direction ofthe 'arrows. V Figures is a-view in side elevation, show ing' an improved. form of spring suspension inwhichthe inventionhas been incorporated. Figure 4 is a view in section, taken on the line 4+4: of Figure 3, and looking in the direction of the arrows; f v. Figure 5" is a view-in side elevation, partly broken away and in section, showing a. further modification of the present invention.

Figure 6 i'sa view of the cushioning mechanismshown in Figure ,5, thecap of .the housing thereforhaving been removed in the intere'st of clearness.

' 'Flgure 7- lsa v1ew 1n side elevatlon', showing 'a further modified construction.

Figure S is a view in section, taken on.the 1ine;8-8ofFigure7, and looking in the direction of the arrows i Figure 9 is" aview in elevation, partly section, showing a further modifiedconstruc- 1 0. 1 1 r J F1gure10 Isa view in sectlon, taken on the direction of the arrows. r

and looking, in the 'Figure 11 is a'vi'ewin elevation, similar to V.

Figure 9," and showing a further modification of the invention. "ff

-F1gure'12is a vlew n sectlon, taken on the line 1212 of Figure 11, and looking'in the directionof the arrows. 7 Referring to the above drawings, a desig Ell nates a frame member of a motor vehicle having an axle b and a wheel 0. Spring 03 is secured to the axle by means of U-bolts d and the ends of the spring are connected to the frame through links (5 thus affording a floating connection for the spring and axle. Spring (Z serves to carry the gravitational forces and does not receive any of the driving forces.

The driving torque is transmitted to the frame through a radius rod 6 and bracket 6. the upper end of the radius rod being secured to the bracket 6 at 6 A block 7" is mounted upon the axle b and carries the bolts d. Arms 7 are formed on the block and extend in opposite directions. A rocker arm 9 is journaled on theshaft 7) and formed with an arm gto which the radius rod e is connected at e Extending in the opposite direction, the rocker arm 9 is formed with an arm 9 which carries seats 9 Adjustable arms h are secured to the extremities of arms f and are formed with spring seats 72/. The arms f extend outwardly and into the plane of rocker arm 9 in order that the seats h upon the arms k may oppose the seats g upon the arm 9 Between these seats springs i are mounted as clearly shown in Figure 1.

Since arm g rocks with respect to spring (Z, the driving force will be transmitted from the axle I) through block 7, either arm 7", corresponding arm h and spring 01, rocker arm 7, and radius rod 6 to the frame a. In this manner. none of the driving forces will be impressed upon the spring 0'! and the latter will serve to cushion only the gravitational forces, while the springs i will cushion the driving forces; a

The construction shownin Figures 3 and 4 is somewhat similar to that shown in Figures 1 and 2. and includes a block j upon the axle 72 and formed with arms 7" having upwardly extending bearings portions 1' A rocker arm is journaled upon the shaft 6 and carries spring is, bolts 73 serving to connect the spring to the rockerarm. Arm Z2 on the floating rocker arm is is connected to the lower extremity of the radius rod 6 and the remainder of the construction is similar to that shown and described with connection to Figures 1 and 2. 'Since block 7' is fixed to the axle, the driving force will be transmitted from the axleto the frame through block j, either arm 7", springlc, floating rocker arm is, arm 70 and radius rod 6. a

In the construction shown in Figures 5 and 6, the shaft 6 carries a squared section I) over which a carrier is mounted. This carrier is formed with recessed seats 5 to receive blocks of yielding non-metallic material 5 Spring cl may be secured to the axle b by means of a block d which, in this instancamay be journaled upon the axle.

Radius rod Z is formed with a housing Z in which seats Z are provided. These seats receive certain of the blocks of yielding nonmetallic material and pins Z may be provided to strengthen the connection. These pins should be so mounted that relative r0- tation of the carrier 72 with respect to the housing Z may take place. A cap Z is formed with seats Z similar to the seats Z and is secured to the housing Z by bolts Z".

In the construction shown in Figure 5, the driving force is transmitted from the axle to the frame through carrier 6 blocks of yielding non-metallic material 6 housing Z, and radius rod Z.

In the construction shown in Figures 7 and 8. the mechanism differs somewhat from the previously described construction. Frame (1 carries a main spring m which is secured thereto through links m The spring is secured to a block a which is fixed to the axle b. Arms a may be provided on the block to serve as supports for the brake mechanism and an arm n is provided to which the lower end of the radius rod 0 is connected. A curved bearing surface 0 is secured on the spring'm and engages an arm 0 which is pivoted to the frame at 0 A cantilever spring 0 is secured on the arm 0 and the end thereof is received within a housing 0* which may carry a block of yielding non-metallic material 0 WVhen the vehicle is loaded, bearing surface 0 engages the arm 0 and the gravitational load is carried by spring 0 Driving force is transmitted to the frame from an axle 6, through arm n and radius rod 6, such driving force being cushioned by the spring m. Although the spring m does carry a certain amount of the gravitational load, it is not I designed to serve entirely in such capacity, the spring 0 carrying the load.

With reference to Figures 9 and 10, the axle b is mounted upon a bracket 19, upon which the spring (1 is mounted. The bracket 72 is formed with a housing 79 which carries a block of yielding non-metallic material 39 and is recessed at 72 Journaled upon the axle Z) is a crank 9 having an arm 9' which is secured to the radius rod at c and an arm a which is formed with a bearing surface received within the recess 72 and block of yielding non-metallic material 37 This con struction functions similarly to those described above and further description thereof is deemed unnecessary.

The construction shown in Figures 11 and 12 is somewhat similar to that of Figures 9 and 10, a bracket 1" being secured to the axle 7) and formed with similar housings 1* having recesses r and carrying blocks of yielding non-metallic material 1 A crank s,journaled on the axle Z) is formed with an arm 8 which is connected to the end of the radius rod 0, and similar arms 8 which are received within the blocks of yielding non-metallic material T The construction shown in these figures operates in ainannersimilar to that of the. construction shown in Figures 9 and 10. v J

While the invention has been described with specific reference to the constructions shown in the accompanying drawings, it is not'to be limited, save as defined in the appended claimsf Y I claim as invention:

1. A spring suspension between a frame and an axle comprising a load carrying spring, means to mount the spring between the frame'and axle to serve. jonly-as a load carrying spring, a radius rod hinged positively to the frame, a secondspring, a rocker arm floating on the axle and carrying the sec ond spring, and an arm carried by the axle for engaging the second spring.

2. A spring suspension between a frame and an axle comprising "a load carrying spring, means toT-mount the spring between the frame and axle to serve only as a load carrying spring, a radius rod hinged positively to the frame, a second spring, a rocker arm floating on the axle and carryingthe second spring, and an arm carried by the axle for engaging the second spring.

3. A spring suspension between a frame and an axle comprising a load carrying spring, means to mount the spring between the frame and axle to serve only as a load carrying spring, a radius rod hinged positively to the frame, a second spring, a rocker arm floating on the axle and carrying the second spring, and means carried by the axle for engaging the second spring. 7

4. A spring suspension between a frame and an axle comprising a load carrying spring, means to mount the spring between the'frame" and axle to serve'only as a load carrying spring, a radius rod hinged posltlvely to the frame, a second sprlng, a rocker arm journaled on theaxle and engaging the seoond spring, andmeans carried by the axle for engaging the second spring.

end of the radius rod to engage the cushioning means.

7. A spring suspension between a frame and an axle comprising a load carrying spring, means-to mount the spring between the frame and axleto serve only as a'load carrying spring, a radius rod hinged positively to the frame, a cushioning means,

means to mount the cushioning means upon the axle, and means to hinge the other end of the radius rod positively upon the last named means. r

8.- A spring suspension between a frame 5. A spring suspension'between a frame and an axle comprising a load carrying spring, means to mount'the' spring between the frameand axle to serve only as aload carrying spring, a radius'rod hinged positively to the frame, a second spring, a rocker arm engaging the second spring and connected tothe radius rod, and means carried by the axle for engaging the second spring.

6. A spring'suspension between a frame I and an axle comprising a load carrying spring, means'to' mount the spring between the frame and axle to serve only as a-Jload 

